how to become a procurement specialist
How to Become a Procurement Specialist
A procurement specialist is responsible for a number of duties in different sectors, primary among which include purchasing assignments and activities. Buzzle will tell you how to become a procurement specialist.
Procurement Specialist
Pro
✔ Brilliant on-the-job training
Con
✘ Low initial payJob Profile
◆ A procurement specialist purchases raw material, goods, and services for the company.
◆ He maintains important contacts and professional relationships with the vendors.
◆ He is responsible for negotiating vital contracts for the company.
◆ As an agent, he negotiates the price as well as manages the product orders.
◆ He researches the places from where quality goods can be procured.
◆ He oversees the financial progress of the company; in case of glitches, he is expected to reduce or increase product and service prices accordingly.
◆ He manages product assembly and storage.
◆ He is expected to attend supplier shows to stay abreast of the latest products available.
Required Skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Good command over language
- Business acumen
- Good mathematical and statistical expertise
- Excellent computer skills
- Negotiating tactics (shrewdness and diplomacy)
- Good organizational skills
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Multitasking ability
Education
Qualifications
- A procurement specialist works in various industries; therefore, the educational qualifications for this designation vary as per the requirement, while at high school, subjects like math, physics, economics, and computers would help lay a strong base.
- You are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a bachelor's degree. You may graduate in a variety of disciplines such as engineering, business administration, economics, computer studies, supply chain management, purchase management, etc.
- Irrespective of whichever sector you work in, any of the above degrees will help you understand the basics of the job.
Certification
- After graduation, you can join work immediately, where you'll be given the required training.
- However, if you intend to join in the core field as soon as possible, you will need to undertake advanced studies.
- Many technical schools offer certifications in various disciplines.
- You can even go on to pursue a master's degree in business management or your area of specialization.
- You can obtain certifications in accounting software, purchase administration, and related subjects.
- After some work experience, you may undertake the Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) examination from the Procurement Association of America (PAA).
- The SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers) offers several certifications that could enhance your resume and help you move on to better jobs.
- You may also obtain the Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) from the UPPCC (Universal Public Procurement Certification Council).
- You will need to update your certification after every five years.
Training
- If you join work immediately after your bachelor's, you will undergo extensive on-the-job training.
- Even post the training session, procurement may not be a part of your job profile.
- With sufficient experience of purchasing and negotiating, you will be promoted to being a procurement specialist.
- If you have the required credentials (certification or master's degree), you may join in the necessary sector. You will receive training anyway.
- In fact, at an entry-level, your designation would be that of a procurement clerk.
- With further specialization and experience in logistics, global supply chain, etc., you will be eligible to become a qualified procurement specialist.
- After several years of experience, you can start your independent firm.
Salary
- The salary for this field may vary widely as per the industry.
- At an entry-level, you will be paid between USD 25,000 to USD 35,000.
- Certified professionals have a comparatively larger pay scale.
- Experienced professionals earn between USD 40,000 to USD 50,000.
- A specialist working in the government sector may earn more than the one working for a private firm.
- Freelancers and independent contractors earn on a per-project basis; the pay varies heavily depending on the client as well as the person's experience.
Job Outlook
- The BLS has predicted a surprisingly slow job growth for this field; 6% between 2012 to 2022.
- With the advent of the Internet, the demand for procurement clerks is significantly lower, and the ones who still work under this designation (in agro-based industries and animal husbandry) receive lesser salaries.
- Research depicts that e-procurement has more of a demand, and candidates skilled in computer software are wanted by different industries.
- However, at the entry-level, this involves the candidate to be fluent in the customization of software tools, while at a higher level, he is expected to be familiar with the working of an e-procurement package.